Representatives from those states met recently outside Washington, D.C., to discuss as a group ideas on how to continue to improve the U.S. health care system. The goal of the network is to provide a forum for states to share concerns and exchange ideas on how to strengthen the state-federal partnership surrounding health care.

The 13 states identified priorities around private health insurance, Medicaid and public health. They also discussed areas where there are opportunities to strengthen the state-federal partnership in efforts to improve health care for the residents in their states.

“It’s absolutely critical that the federal government hears and heeds the ideas that came out of this bipartisan effort,” said NGA Chair Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. “Any new health care legislation coming out of Congress should follow a process that gives states enough time to review and respond, build on current state efforts, ensure a smooth transition and refrain from shifting any costs to the states.”

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, whose state participated in the project, said, “Rural states like Wyoming face unique health care challenges and our voices are important in the national debate over how to fix the health care system. We need bipartisan ideas from states and thirteen states, including Wyoming, have come together for that purpose. Governors and state officials, along with members of Congress and the Administration, must find a path forward, and I am confident we can.”

“From Alabama to Wyoming, each state has a unique makeup based on its geography, population, economy, and more,” said NGA Executive Director and CEO Scott Pattison. “That individual perspective extends to health care and a result, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to improve the U.S. health care system. However, there are areas of common interest where states can move forward.”